20,197 Nigerians Stranded in Libya, Other Countries Return Home

• According to data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), 20,197 Nigerians stranded in various countries have voluntarily returned to their homeland.

• The majority of returnees cited economic instability as their primary motivation for migrating, with 94% seeking better economic opportunities.

• Many returnees also reported facing exploitation, including forced labour and sexual exploitation.

No fewer than 20,197 Nigerians stranded in various countries have voluntarily returned to their homeland, according to data collated from various repatriation exercises facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The stranded Nigerians returned to their country under the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme, which involved intervention from the Federal Government and various Nigerian missions abroad.

Women and girls constitute nearly 88% of the returnees, while men account for 13%.

Most returnees fall within the age bracket of 18 to 39 years, with those aged 18 to 25 being particularly susceptible to recruitment by traffickers.

According to the IOM, “The stranded Nigerian migrants returned home from transit and destination countries along the Mediterranean irregular migratory route”.

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The IOM also revealed that economic instability was the predominant reason for irregular migration, with a staggering 94% of returnees citing the search for better economic opportunities as their primary motivation.

Only 2% sought specific job opportunities, 1% sought to escape adverse family situations, and 3% had varied reasons, including education, family reunification, and fleeing violence. Italy, Libya, and Mali were among the top intended destination countries for the returnees.

Supreme Court Nullifies Rivers Local Government Elections

The Supreme Court has declared the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024, as invalid.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the apex court ruled that the electoral process failed to comply with legal requirements, thereby rendering the elections null and void.

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